Plantation of Medicinal Plants at Kiratpur Sahib celebrating Sikh Guru Har Rai Ji’s Birthday
By HAINDER SINGH
Published: February 2, 2013
http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2013/02/...b-celebrating-sikh-guru-har-rai-jis-birthday/
Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab (February 02, 2012): According to a press release (dated January 31, 2013) by EcoSikh: “Celebrating the 383rd birth anniversary of 7th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Har Rai Sahib, the Sikh volunteer organisation Shree Ganga Nursery of Zirakpur in collaboration with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) began plantation of over 70 varieties of medicinal herbs in the 350 years old Naulakha Garden, at the birth place of Sri Guru Har Rai, Gurdwara Sheeshmehal Sahib in Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Har Rai was a nature lover and he instilled a vision among his followers to care for and to live in harmony with nature and other living beings. The Ganga nursery has been celebrating this day from last 13 years at the same place by planting trees and this year they included herbs like cloves, cardamom, harar, bahera, amla, turmeric, aloe vera etc. The plantation which began today is planned to complete in 3 canals of this garden by 14th March when the Sikhs around the world celebrate the enthronement day of the seventh Guru as Sikh Environment Day”.
EcoSikh had consultations with the Manjit Singh, Head of Ganga Nursery, on plantation of herbs and medicinal plants several days ago. It had also planned a visit of Dr. Swarn Singh Saini, former Professor of the Agronomy at Punjab Agriculture University to explore the possibility of making Kiratpur into a herbal and healing habitat. Manjit Singh said, “Our sewa is always available to implement the vision of Guru Har Rai ji and we will continue on this path.”
The President of SGPC, Avtar Singh Makkar and Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Tirlochan Singh were present at this event and planted a ceremonial plant at the garden. Avtar Singh declared that Ganga Nursery has taken up this task to plant the herbs and SGPC will take up the maintenance part of the marvel garden.
EcoSikh India Project Manager, Ravneet Singh also present at the ceremonies and shared Sikh Environment Day worldwide plans with the philanthropist Manjit Singh of Shree Ganga Nursery and congratulated him for his phenomenal efforts in restoring the historical garden of our nature loving Guru.
The 7th Guru was developed Kiratpur Sahib on the banks of tributary of the Sutlej in Punjab as a town of parks and gardens: he planted flowers and fruit bearing trees all over the area, as well as medicinal herbs and wildlife sanctuaries. According to Sikh history this created a salubrious environment, attracting birds and animals to the town and turning it into an idyllic place to live. His ‘Naulakha Bagh’ was famous for wide varieties of rare medicinal herbs. Even the then Emperor of India Shah Jahan sought medicine from Guru Har Rai Ji for curing his son, Dara Shikoh. It is said that the rare medicine was available nowhere but at Guru’s Naulakha Bagh which finally cured Dara Shikoh.
By HAINDER SINGH
Published: February 2, 2013
http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2013/02/...b-celebrating-sikh-guru-har-rai-jis-birthday/
Kiratpur Sahib, Punjab (February 02, 2012): According to a press release (dated January 31, 2013) by EcoSikh: “Celebrating the 383rd birth anniversary of 7th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Har Rai Sahib, the Sikh volunteer organisation Shree Ganga Nursery of Zirakpur in collaboration with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) began plantation of over 70 varieties of medicinal herbs in the 350 years old Naulakha Garden, at the birth place of Sri Guru Har Rai, Gurdwara Sheeshmehal Sahib in Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Har Rai was a nature lover and he instilled a vision among his followers to care for and to live in harmony with nature and other living beings. The Ganga nursery has been celebrating this day from last 13 years at the same place by planting trees and this year they included herbs like cloves, cardamom, harar, bahera, amla, turmeric, aloe vera etc. The plantation which began today is planned to complete in 3 canals of this garden by 14th March when the Sikhs around the world celebrate the enthronement day of the seventh Guru as Sikh Environment Day”.
EcoSikh had consultations with the Manjit Singh, Head of Ganga Nursery, on plantation of herbs and medicinal plants several days ago. It had also planned a visit of Dr. Swarn Singh Saini, former Professor of the Agronomy at Punjab Agriculture University to explore the possibility of making Kiratpur into a herbal and healing habitat. Manjit Singh said, “Our sewa is always available to implement the vision of Guru Har Rai ji and we will continue on this path.”
The President of SGPC, Avtar Singh Makkar and Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Tirlochan Singh were present at this event and planted a ceremonial plant at the garden. Avtar Singh declared that Ganga Nursery has taken up this task to plant the herbs and SGPC will take up the maintenance part of the marvel garden.
EcoSikh India Project Manager, Ravneet Singh also present at the ceremonies and shared Sikh Environment Day worldwide plans with the philanthropist Manjit Singh of Shree Ganga Nursery and congratulated him for his phenomenal efforts in restoring the historical garden of our nature loving Guru.
The 7th Guru was developed Kiratpur Sahib on the banks of tributary of the Sutlej in Punjab as a town of parks and gardens: he planted flowers and fruit bearing trees all over the area, as well as medicinal herbs and wildlife sanctuaries. According to Sikh history this created a salubrious environment, attracting birds and animals to the town and turning it into an idyllic place to live. His ‘Naulakha Bagh’ was famous for wide varieties of rare medicinal herbs. Even the then Emperor of India Shah Jahan sought medicine from Guru Har Rai Ji for curing his son, Dara Shikoh. It is said that the rare medicine was available nowhere but at Guru’s Naulakha Bagh which finally cured Dara Shikoh.
